Keris Majapahit
| Keris Majapahit | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Weapon type: | dagger |
| Designations: | Keris Majapahit |
| Use: | Weapon, ceremonial weapon |
| Region of origin / author: |
Java , ethnic groups from Java |
| Distribution: | Java |
| Overall length: | about 27 cm |
| Handle: | iron |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Keris Majapahit is a dagger from Java.
description
The Keris Majapahit has a straight blade typical of the Kris . It is made from one piece together with the booklet . This type of kris was passed on in the families of the owners over generations from father to son as "pusakas" (indonian family heirlooms). In the Javanese belief, these crises are strong amulets that protect the plants in the fields from damage and vermin . The name Keris Majapahit comes from the time of the powerful Indo-Javanese Empire Majapahit , which existed in the Indonesian archipelago between the 14th and 15th centuries . The keris majapahit , however, is much older. It is believed that the first specimens were made around 1000 to 1600 years ago, in the first Iron Age of Java. They have been made since then to this day. Later produced specimens are very similar to the normal types of Kris. The blade is roughly worked and the widening on the handle is not as clearly worked out as with the normal Kris types. The Keris Majapahit do not have a forged "ganja". However, it is often indicated by engravings . Most blades are straight, but wavy blades (Indon. Luk , or German flamed ) are also common. Traces of iron bands soldered on can be found on almost all known specimens . The blade material is usually simple pamor steel (similar to Damascus steel ). The notebooks are usually shaped in the form of a more or less strongly stylized human figure. These figures are shown in either a standing or crouching position. They usually have arms folded in front of their chests and a kind of cap on their head. Simple specimens are smooth. The faces of the figures usually look towards the flat side of the blade, but in a few cases they also look towards the edge, on the side of the widening which is the shortest. It is not certain that the keris majapahit was ever used as a stabbing weapon as there are no scabbards . If one of the specimens has a scabbard, it is more recent and usually simple and without decorations.
Individual evidence
- ^ Albert G. van Zonneveld: Traditional weapons of the Indonesian archipelago. C. Zwartenkot Art Books, Leiden 2001, ISBN 90-5450-004-2 , p. 69.